Nissan RD28 diesel conversion (swap)

[oldbeaver]

Hello, new to the Forum.

Saw that you people know little about Nissan RD28 diesel engine and it`s possibilities for a swap.

I did it about 4 years ago and engine is running smooth until now, and improving every time I can.

Be aware that I did the swap in a Mercedes car.

Details here: https://sites.google.com/site/rd28engineswap/

Best,

Old Beaver

 

[Tofudebeest]

So you want to know if this motor is a good candidate for a Land Cruiser? If so, which one?

I know the SD-33 (and SD-33T), which were put in International Scouts, are very suitable diesel conversion candidates in Cruisers.

Isn't the RD28 the motor they put in the sedans? If so, it might not be a good choice for a Cruiser, simply because of the vehicle's weight.

It is turbo or naturally aspirated? What's the displacement, redline and torque?

 

[canucksafari]

Bugger, you got me all up thinking that some bloke had chosen a Nissan diesel to swap into a Cruiser and what do I find... a swap into a Mercedes.

Anyways, the RD28 block is a proven diesel engine that was also used in Nissan 4 door trucks, the Safari and the Terrano also. Personally, I would of gone with the RD28T or the RD28TI which was used on the SWB Safaris and the Terranos. But for the best, a TD4.2TI would have been a sweet marriage between dependability and power. Good thing you stayed away from the 3.0. I hear it makes good shrapnel.

 

[canucksafari]

I know the SD-33 (and SD-33T), which were put in International Scouts, are very suitable diesel conversion candidates in Cruisers.

SD-33 is an old motor and like the 3B it is starting to getting hard to find parts. The RD28 1 & 2 and the RD28T are all mechanical motors and not too old.

Series 1
94 PS (69.1 kW; 92.7 bhp) @ 4800rpm
18.0 kg·m (177 N·m; 130 lb·ft) @ 2400rpm

Series 2
100 PS (73.5 kW; 98.6 bhp) @ 4800rpm
18.2 kg·m (178 N·m; 132 lb·ft) @ 2400rpm

RD28T
125 PS (91.9 kW; 123.3 bhp) @ 4400rpm
26.0 kg·m (255 N·m; 188 lb·ft) @ 2400rpm

I'd also seriously consider the TD27T or one of the TD4.2

TD27T
115 PS (84.6 kW; 113.4 bhp) @ 4000 RPM
24.8 kg·m (243 N·m; 179 lb·ft) @ 2200 RPM

TD4.2
135 PS (99.3 kW; 133.2 bhp) @ 4000 RPM
28.5 kg·m (279 N·m; 206 lb·ft) @ 2000 RPM

 

[Tapage]

The RD28 that came here in the 2 doors Nissan Patrol it's considered here the worse Patrol engine ever made .. ( never had one ) I love those Patrols ( 2 doors ) as a perfect off road plataform with a SWB and all around coiled suspension .. but with a 1HD-T on it

 

[canucksafari]

So mario hasn't enlightened you yet about the good old TD4.2, eh? The absolute worst diesel engine has to be the Nissan RD30. It comes by its nick name for good reason...

From what I have heard the RD28 does pretty good as soon as you blank out the EGR.

 

[Flatdeck]

Hmmm ... I hear very few mentions of the QD32ETi - that came in Terrano from the mid-90s. I have one currently and they are surprisingly quick with 105KW. I would be very happy with one in a Cruiser if no YotaMota was available ...

 

[canucksafari]

Probably fine if you don't mind electronical controls. IMO, no computers equals durability and ease of repair. I take an old school engine - even if it means 5-10 hp less. Adding your own turbo and intercooler to the same cc old school engine, you will probably get more hp than with the factory electronically controlled injection and turbo/intercooler system.

 

[Flatdeck]

Fair comment re electronics (NZ$1500 to get a fuel pump rebuilt to replace a sensor - a common problem I hear).

 

[rchalmers3]

Saw that you people know little about Nissan RD28 diesel engine and it`s possibilities for a swap.

I think aged platypus is trying to stir sumthin. Lets take this to chat.

Rick

 

[canucksafari]

I think aged platypus is trying to stir sumthin. Lets take this to chat.

Rick

He's only had two posts. Perhaps he actually might be doing an interesting swap into a Cruiser. I'd give him a few more posts to explain himself before dumping the thread in to Chit.

 

[Dougal]

So mario hasn't enlightened you yet about the good old TD4.2, eh? The absolute worst diesel engine has to be the Nissan RD30. It comes by its nick name for good reason...

I think you mean the ZD30.
The one I've driven I was really impressed with. It's just the ones that decide the engine needs a whole lot of fuel that go bang.
With a boost and EGT gauge you'd be perfectly safe.

As for the Rd28. Fine as a car engine, but not suitable for a 4wd. How's the fuel economy in the merc?

 

[canucksafari]

Correct. That's the ZD. Put it this way, I have seen way more posts on Outerlimits about grenading ZD30 then the 2-LTE engine heads. I'm heard that if you ensure the MAF sensor is clean all the time, you reduce the possible granade by at least 50%.

Not sure what your are refering to by Merc. The TD4.2 5spd does between 10-15L/100 kms depending on what type of driving, load and speed. So far the TD4.2 auto hasn't gotten better than 12L/100kms. That's an estimate based on the odometer, since some @sswipe stole my GPS.

 

[Dougal]

Correct. That's the ZD. Put it this way, I have seen way more posts on Outerlimits about grenading ZD30 then the 2-LTE engine heads.

That's because the 2LT wasn't sold in Australia.

I'm heard that if you ensure the MAF sensor is clean all the time, you reduce the possible granade by at least 50%.

A dirty MAF isn't enough to cause meltdown. Meltdown is caused by excessive EGT's, the stories I've heard of them blowing all involve the engine going really really well before it dies. Like passing lines of cars while towing a boat.

They don't appear to die at part load. So fit an EGT gauge and you'll see exactly what's happening. I haven't heard of anyone with an EGT gauge blowing a ZD30, only stories of people installing them afterwards.

 

[canucksafari]

From the ZD30 experts (aka victims)...

ZD30 Engine Problems

ZD30 Grenade - WARNING SIGNS - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum

The Granade Factor - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum

Lots more from out there but three threads should be enough.

Thankfully, I don't have any first hand experience.

 

[Dougal]

From the ZD30 experts (aka victims)...

ZD30 Engine Problems

ZD30 Grenade - WARNING SIGNS - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum

The Granade Factor - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum

Lots more from out there but three threads should be enough.

Thankfully, I don't have any first hand experience.

Yes I've read plenty of those.
Including ones written by muppets who think it's caused by running lean from too much boost.

Bottomline is: To melt a diesel you need extremely high EGT's, which requires right foot down hard. With an EGT gauge it's easy to spot when things aren't right and lift the right foot.

 

[Tapage]

Ok .. a bad component don't make a bad engine .. but if you buy a Patrol wich whatever engine it comes you expect it last ( the complete car ) 10 - 15 years . ?

 

[canucksafari]

Bottomline is: To melt a diesel you need extremely high EGT's, which requires right foot down hard. With an EGT gauge it's easy to spot when things aren't right and lift the right foot.

Don't know where I said "melt" in any of my posts.

Ok .. a bad component don't make a bad engine .. but if you buy a Patrol wich whatever engine it comes you expect it last ( the complete car ) 10 - 15 years . ?

The 1,000,000 plus km engine is the TD4.2. My older one is now 19 yrs old and the other 18 yrs old and they both have a lot of kms to go. I am sure the corrosion will get them before the mechanicals will.

Seems the highway people have either a different formula or concentration of liquid salt they are using to melt snow and ice. This is the first year I have noticed a small rust spot from that crap getting behimd the window seal on the barn door.

 

[Dougal]

Don't know where I said "melt" in any of my posts.

Melt is how the ZD30's die. What did you think happens?

The 1,000,000 plus km engine is the TD4.2. My older one is now 19 yrs old and the other 18 yrs old and they both have a lot of kms to go. I am sure the corrosion will get them before the mechanicals will.

Do you know of any 1,000,000km TD42's or is this just speculation? Most TD's that I see are pretty smokey with only a few hundred thousand km on them.

 

[canucksafari]

Melt is how the ZD30's die. What did you think happens?



Do you know of any 1,000,000km TD42's or is this just speculation? Most TD's that I see are pretty smokey with only a few hundred thousand km on them.

LOL You are a wise one. There are quite a few additional deaths for the Grenade than just melting pistons, such as cracked heads, turbos self destructing, rods breaking, etc.

There have also been quite a few Patrols with TD4.2 over 1 Million kms. If I remember right, a few have been documented on 4WD Action: one which traveled for years setting up the track for the Outback Challenge and another running as a pilot vehicle back and forth across Australia. I am sure if you used you favorite search engine you could find more.